spiritual direction

He brings a stillness and a willingness to engage silence that can be unnerving but in the most important way; it's almost like he is the wind parting the red sea of my noisy fears so I can walk on dry land and hear the sound my feet make against the soft sand. ~Abigail

The most important elements that I bring to the table are a listening ear and curiosity. This posture is my approach to spiritual direction. I see only a few directees so that I can be fully present to this relationship as I also live out my vocation as a pastor and priest. These humbling and poetic words of one my directees say way more than I could ever convey on my own.

Frederick Buechner says, Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.

Buechner's words are life. I approach direction as one who attempts to remind us of the truth of these words. If the idea that life is grace, both the mundane and exciting, the painful and the joyous, can seep into our deepest selves, I believe the path we are walking will be more open and clear to us. The path will always have twists, turns, rocks, roots, narrow places. The path will also offer summits, serene lakes, and the most stunning views our souls can handle. And sometimes, we have to leave the path altogether. All of it is beautiful. All of it is grace. The mistakes and the successes. My intention is to be present in the midst of all of it.

If you would like to explore and discern working together, please reach out to me via email.